Smartphone cameras aren't designed for fine photography. But you still need a tripod now and then, to hold a phone for a family photo or keep a shot steady in the dark. Here's a nifty solution from Joby, maker of the mighty GorrillaPod flexible tripods.

What Is It?

A tiny $30 tripod and mount for a smartphone or point-and-shoot camera.

Who's it For?

The shaky-handed. People who FaceTime while cooking or holding a baby.

Design

The foldable metal legs collapse against a plastic mount, making a flat package about a half-inch thick.

Using It

Flip out the tripod legs, unfold the mount, and extend the spring-loaded jaws of the grip until they fit around your camera. Take a shot, fold it up, and put it in your pocket.

The Best Part

This is the most simple and elegant design we've seen for a smartphone tripod.

Tragic Flaw

Doesn't grip tight. The clamping jaws are made of weak, easily breakable plastic. One test unit was destroyed after just two weeks of everyday use. The second test unit still works, but it won't last. The jaw really should be made of padded metal.

This Is Weird...

Doubles as a desk stand for your phone, like a dock without a charger.

Test Notes

We used this tripod and mount for our iPhone 5 camera battle, comparing 5 different smart phones a a tiny point-and-shoot camera.

The tripod's small size makes it tricky to level.

You can remove the included tripod legs and use the spring-loaded mount with any standard tripod.

Should You Buy It?

This is the best little smartphone tripod we've used yet, but it's not up against very strong competition. And, given that this can break so easily, we're hesitant to recommend it. The small size is convenient, and the legs fold elegantly. But we'd expect a $30 accessory to be a little more resilient. With a small change to strengthen the jaws, the GripTight could be fantastic.